Group Coaching Nuggets
Tips, Tools and Resources for Your Group Programs
November 2007
In This Issue
12 Golden Nuggets
Two powerful virtual intensives
Greetings!
Welcome to the November edition of the Group Coaching Nuggets and monthly bursts on issues related to group coaching, workshops and retreats.
 
How are your plans coming for 2008 programming?  If you haven't started preparing for your 2008 programs, now is the time! I have two upcoming virtual retreats - on for business owners who want to do some planning for a bountiful 2008, the other for professionals who are wanting to quickly create their own group programs.
 
As always, I would welcome your comments and updates on what's happening in your life and work. Please sit back and enjoy this month's newsletter!
 
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CHRP, CPT
Potentials Realized | Group Coaching Essentials
A Treasure Trove of Ideas: 12 Golden Nuggets for Your Next Program
Here are some quick tips to implement in your next group program:
12 Golden Nuggets for Your Group Program
Copyright 2005-7, Jennifer Britton
 

Facilitation:

        The Latin roots of the word faciltiation are "facilis" or to make easy. How can you   make the process easy for your participants? For yourself?

  v     When in doubt, ask the participants. A facilitator does not need to have all the answers. Draw on the life experience and knowledge of the group.

v      Ensure to adapt your facilitation style and activities to meet the learning needs and styles of all participants. Remember that some people have a learning preference to visuals, others to hearing, and others by touch.

 

Program Design:

v      Expect to deliver 80% of your content. One of the most common pitfalls for new trainers/workshop leaders is that too much information is packed into too short a time. Ensure that you have built into your program enough time for participants to integrate their learning and set an action plan for transferring their learning back to work and home.

v      When designing keep in mind the principles: Need to know, Nice to know, and Where to Go 

v      Remember that adults can listen with understanding for 90 minutes, 20 minutes for retention. To boost retention, adults need to be involved about every 8 minutes. This translates to the need for change of methods every 8-10 minutes (i.e. ask the group a question, show a video, undertake an activity).

v      Review, review, review to reinforce learning[1]

v      Involve difficult participants in the process. Have them flipchart, keep the time etc.

 

Meeting Facilitation:

v      Spend time at the start of a session having the group develop ground rules that everyone agrees upon. Post these and refer back to them as necessary.

      v      Ensure that participants go away with something. The development of a small booklet in which they can take notes in can be a very useful tool

v      Use and post an agenda (of each day). When necessary, refer to it to bring the group back on track, or to highlight where the group has gone (for longer workshops)

v      Use a "parking lot" to capture issues or questions outside of the agenda. Incorporate these as possible throughout the workshop. At minimum, at the end of a workshop highlight how these will be addressed in future by the organization/program.


[1]Some techniques which you can use for review include:

v      Small group discussion at the end of a session/day with small groups presenting in plenary on the main points

v      Have individuals discuss with a learning partner or write individually in the course notebook:

o         the key salient points of the session and/or

o         what they are taking away to apply to their work

v      Have groups draw murals representing the main points of the learning at the end of the day/workshop. Allocate time for the groups to walk around the room and "view the gallery"

 
This month's programs -  Biz Success 2008 Virtual Planning Retreat, and Group Program Design Virtual Intensive
We have a number of exciting programs lined up this month to support you, including:
Group Program Virtual Intensive: Monday November 19 and 26: 7-10 pm (EST)
 
2008 Biz Success Virtual Planning Retreat :
Monday December 3 and 10: 7-10pm (EST) OR Tuesday December 11 and 18: 7-10pm (EST)
 
2008 Biz Success Virtual Planning Retreat (for business owners):
Monday December 3 and 10/07: 7-10pm EST both evenings OR
Tuesday December 11th and 18th: 7-10 pm EST both evenings
 

Haven't had a chance yet to do your planning for 2008 or develop a vision for what you want to create with your business? This is a virtual business planning retreat for small business owners. Participants will:

  • Develop their vision for 2008 for their business
  • Explore or reconnect with their business values
  • Set their major Business Objectives for 2008
  • Develop a Business RoadMap for 2008
  • Develop a marketing plan for 2008
  • Develop an operational budget and partnership strategy for the new year

The Biz Success Virtual Planning Retreat will be of interest to new and seasoned business owners who are committed to conscious, intentional action and planning for their business. Retreat registrants will receive:

  • 6 hours of retreat time (combination of group time by phone and individual planning time)
  • A virtual retreat manual with exercises, tools, templates for their business planning
  • A follow up group call
Space is limited to 12 and cost is $150 Canadian.
For more information, or to register click here.

 

GROUP Program Design Virtual Intensive

Monday November 12 and 19/07: 7-10pm EST both evenings
 
Have you decided to offer group programs in 2008 and haven't found the time to start designing or marketing your programs? The Virtual Intensive program structured to give you a step by step process to develop the skeleton of a new workshop, retreat or group coaching program.You will receive step by step tools and get the chance to put this into immediate action each evening. The Virtual Intensive is a combination of group time on the phone and individual work off-line during the two evenings, and is supported by two rich e-manuals and exercises accompanying the intensive. Past participants have left the program with a group program design skeleton, a Marketing GamePlan for their program, and exercises to include in their program.
 
Intensive registrants receive:
  • 6 hour Intensive program delivered by phone (combination of group call and individual work)
  • The Group Program Intensive Manual
  • A follow up group call to check on progress
Space is limited to 10 participants. Cost: $125 Candian. Click here for more information.
 
If you have any questions on any of the programs, please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected], or toll free 1-866-217-1960 (press 0 when you hear my voice mail come on and you will be connected directly to my office).

I hope that you will find the resources in this month's newsletter useful for your own work and that you may join me for an upcoming program. If you know of other coaches, trainers or group facilitators who might find this newsletter useful, please forward it to them using the link below.
 
As always, I welcome your comments and thoughts - feel free to email me at [email protected] or call me toll free 1-866-217-1960. I look forward to continuing to act as a resource for you.
 
With best wishes for your own group work,
Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CHRP
Potentials Realized Founder
Group Coaching Essentials
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